Women's retreat: how to find the right one

By Anna VanAgtmael · Updated 11 Oct 2026

A women's retreat is a stay of a few days or longer, in one place, planned for women to attend together around a theme such as movement, quiet, creative work or time outdoors. The theme and the host shape the week, so the useful questions are who is running it, what the days involve and what the price covers.

What is a women's retreat?

A women's retreat is a retreat that is open to women only, or is built for them. You travel to one place, stay there, eat there and follow a loose schedule set by the host. Some of the time is guided and some of it is yours.

The label tells you who the trip is for. It does not tell you what you will do. One women's retreat might be a week of yoga and long walks. Another might be a weekend of writing, or a few days of quiet in the countryside. The host decides all of it, along with the price and the terms.

On hosted/trips, a women's retreat is listed as a retreat, and every trip has a named host. Some trips carry identity labels such as women only, and that label sits on the trip page where you can see it before you read further.

Why do people choose a women only retreat?

People choose a women only retreat for many different reasons, and you do not need to have one in particular. Common ones include wanting a group with something in common, preferring a certain kind of room or conversation, or simply liking the idea of a week with other women.

Others have no strong reason at all. The theme appealed, the dates worked and the host sounded like someone they would enjoy being around. That is a perfectly good reason to book.

If you are unsure, read how the host describes the group. A good listing says who the retreat is for and what to expect, in plain words. If it does not, ask. A women only label is worth checking against your own plans, since hosts mean slightly different things by it, and the host can tell you who has come before.

What kinds of women's retreat are there?

Most women's retreats are built around one main thread. These are the common ones.

• Movement retreats, built around yoga, walking, swimming or hiking. Our guide to choosing a yoga retreat covers how to judge one.
• Quiet retreats, with time for meditation, reading or simply being still.
• Creative retreats for women, where writing, painting, textiles or other making fills the days. Some are led by a teacher and some leave the time open. Ask the host whether they expect beginners, people with years of practice, or a mix.
• Outdoor retreats, based around a landscape, with walks, paddling or sleeping somewhere simple.
• Faith-based retreats, where prayer, reflection or study is part of the schedule.
• General wellness retreats, which mix rest, movement and good food. Our guide to wellness retreats explains how those work.

Plenty of retreats blend two or three of these, so read the daily outline and not just the title. If rest is what you are after, how to compare wellness retreats for women goes through schedules side by side, and retreats for women over 50 looks at pace and what that age label tells you.

What happens on a women's retreat?

Most days mix a few guided sessions with free time, shared meals and rest. Below is an example only. Every host sets their own schedule, and some retreats are busier or quieter than this.

An example day (not a real trip):

• Morning: a walk or a movement session, then breakfast together
• Late morning: a guided session on the theme, such as a writing prompt or a talk
• Midday: lunch, then free time to read, swim, nap or wander
• Afternoon: an optional outing or a second session
• Evening: dinner as a group, then conversation or an early night

Some retreats fill every hour. Others leave whole afternoons open. Some ask you to keep your phone away for part of the day. The trip page should give a daily outline. If it does not, ask the host for one.

How do I choose the best women's retreat for me?

There is no single best women's retreat, only the one that fits what you want from the time away. Judge fit by looking at the theme, the pace, the host and the setting, and decide which of those matters most to you.

A few ways to compare:

1. Start with the theme. If you want to move, look at movement retreats. If you want to make something, look at creative ones.
2. Count the hours. See how many are guided and how many are free, and ask yourself which you would miss.
3. Read about the host. Do they explain their approach in a way that sounds like someone you would like to spend several days with?
4. Check the group size. A small group feels personal. A larger one gives you more people to meet.
5. Think about the journey. A retreat you can reach easily is simpler to plan, and a longer trip to somewhere remote may suit you better if you want distance from home.

If a listing is vague, that is a reason to ask more, not to guess.

Can I go to a women's retreat on my own?

Yes. Many women go alone, though it varies from one retreat to the next, so ask the host how many usually do. The shared schedule and the shared meals give everyone something to start a conversation with. Our guide to going solo on a group trip covers rooms, mealtimes and what it feels like to arrive on your own.

Ask about the rooms before you book. Some hosts charge a single supplement for a private room, and some offer shared rooms.

You may also see retreats for single women. That phrase can mean different things. For some people it means women traveling without a partner, which describes a great many retreats. On hosted/trips there is also a singles label that a host can put on a trip. If a trip carries it, ask the host what it means for them and how the group is put together.

What does a women's retreat cost?

There is no standard price, because every host sets their own. The cost comes down to the place, the length, the room you pick and what the price includes.

A private room usually costs more than a shared one. A remote or popular location is more expensive to run. A longer stay costs more in total, and busy times of year tend to cost more than quiet ones. A small group means more of the host's attention, and the price often reflects that. Sessions with a guest teacher, treatments and outings may be in the price or charged on top.

So compare what each price covers before you compare the totals. Then find out the deposit, when the balance is due and what happens if you need to cancel. Hosts set their own terms, and our guide to deposits and cancellations explains what to look for.

How do I find a women's retreat near me?

A retreat you can drive to is found by place and date, so decide how far you are willing to go and when you are free. Searching your region along with the month you want is the honest place to start.

On hosted/trips, you can browse retreats and look for ones in your area. If nothing is listed near you yet, set a trip alert for your place and you will get an email when a new trip is listed. Look for the women only label on the trip page. The list is ordered by the soonest booking closing date, and you can re-sort it by earliest, latest or price. Nobody can pay to move up, and any sponsored spot is labeled.

You book directly with the host on their own site. hosted/trips takes no bookings or payments, and no cut of what you pay the host.

What should I ask the host before I book?

Ask what you would want to know if a friend were going. A clear answer is a good sign.

• Who is this retreat for, and what does women only mean here?
• What does a typical day look like?
• How many people usually come?
• Who leads the sessions, and what is their background?
• What are the room options, and is there a single supplement?
• What is included in the price, and what is extra?
• What are the meals like, and can you cater for my needs?
• What are the deposit and cancellation terms?

If you have an injury, an allergy or a health condition, tell the host before you book and speak to your own doctor about whether the activities suit you. Before you pay, read how to book safely for a short checklist.

Find a trip

You can browse retreats and read each host's schedule and terms. If the right one is not listed yet, set a trip alert for the kind or the place you like, and you will get an email when a new retreat is listed.

Common questions

Do I need to know anyone at a women's retreat?

No. Many guests arrive alone, though it varies, so ask the host how many usually do. A shared schedule and shared meals make it easier to meet people. Ask the host how they help people settle in on the first day.

Do I need experience to join a creative retreat?

Often not, but it varies. Some creative retreats welcome beginners and some expect a certain level. The trip page should say, and if it does not, ask the host who the sessions are pitched at.

Is a women's retreat the same as a wellness retreat?

Not always. A wellness retreat is built around rest and looking after yourself. A women's retreat is defined by who it is for, and its theme could be anything from walking to writing. Many are both.

Can I leave early or skip a session?

That depends on the host. Many retreats treat sessions as optional, while others expect you to take part. Ask before you book, and ask what happens to your payment if you need to leave early.